What is the Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA) Program?

Education Savings Accounts, also known as ESAs, are state programs that allow families to access public education funding and use it beyond the traditional public school system. Instead of funding going straight to a school district, ESA funds are set aside in a secure account that families can use for approved education expenses like private school tuition, homeschooling resources, tutoring, special education services, and more.

As of 2026, more than 20 states have ESA programs in place, and no two are exactly alike. They have different names, rules, and eligibility requirements depending on the state. That's why it's important to check your state's official resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

What scholarship options are available in Arkansas?

Arkansas families currently have access to two main programs that support flexible education funding. These options can help cover tuition, curriculum, and other approved services.

• Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program: The state's ESA program offers public funds that families can use for approved education expenses.
• Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids (PIAK) Scholarship Program: A privately funded scholarship that helps income-eligible families pay for tuition at approved private schools in Arkansas.

Each program has different eligibility requirements and funding rules. In the following sections, we'll break down how they work so you can choose what fits your learner best.

Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program

The Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program (also called the Education Freedom Account or EFA) is the state's official Education Savings Account. It gives families access to public funds that can be used to pay for approved educational expenses outside the traditional public school system. This includes tuition, curriculum, tutoring, educational therapies, and more.

The program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Education and managed through the ClassWallet platform. Funds are distributed quarterly, and families can apply to use the EFA while educating their child through private school, homeschool, or a combination of qualified learning methods.

Eligibility

• Residency: Student must be a legal resident of Arkansas.
• Grade Level: Open to K-12 students eligible to enroll in public school.
• Enrollment Status: Students must not be enrolled full-time in an Arkansas public school while using EFA funds.
• Income: No income restrictions.
• Priority Groups: The EFA program began phasing in during the 2023-24 school year. As of 2026, the program is fully available to all K-12 students in Arkansas, regardless of prior school setting or income level. If demand exceeds available funding, applications are reviewed in priority order: returning EFA students, students with disabilities or in foster care, students at D/F-rated schools, children of military families or first responders, first-time kindergarteners, and all other applicants.

Rules and regulations

Approved uses include:

• Private school tuition and fees
• Uniforms
• Homeschool curriculum and materials
• Tutoring and specialized therapies
• Testing fees and educational technology
• Transportation and enrichment (limited portion)

Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids (PIAK) Scholarship Program

The PIAK Scholarship provides tuition support for eligible students at approved private schools in Arkansas. Funded through private donations and awarded by state-approved Scholarship-Granting Organizations (SGOs), this program helps families cover tuition when public school isn't the right fit.

Eligibility

Students must have attended a public school in the most recent school year, unless entering kindergarten, having a qualifying disability, or recently moving to Arkansas. Income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Award amounts

• Up to 80% of the state foundation amount for grades K-8 (approximately $6,200)
• Up to 90% for high school students (approximately $6,900 for 2025-26)

How to use your Arkansas EFA funds on Outschool

Outschool is an approved provider for Arkansas families using Education Freedom Accounts. If you've received an EFA, you can use your ClassWallet account to enroll in eligible Outschool classes, tutoring, and learning tools that align with the state's approved expenses.

Families may use EFA funds on:

• Live, small-group classes led by qualified teachers
• Self-paced courses that accommodate different learning styles
• Core subject instruction and enrichment topics
• Supplemental learning for homeschool, private school, or hybrid models

Another option for Arkansas homeschool families: OpenEd

If you're exploring options beyond the EFA — or homeschooling in Arkansas without EFA funds — OpenEd is a free alternative worth knowing about.

OpenEd is a tuition-free homeschool enrichment program available to Arkansas families at no cost, with no income limit. Eligible families receive up to $2,000 in Learning Passport credits toward approved enrichment providers, including Outschool, covering live online classes, 1:1 tutoring, and subject-specific enrichment.

The EFA and OpenEd are separate programs with different eligibility structures. Since EFA participation requires students to not be enrolled in a public school full-time, and OpenEd enrollment may carry its own classification, it’s worth checking with both programs before deciding which path fits your family. You can learn more and apply at opened.co/outschool.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for the Arkansas Education Freedom Account?

Applications are submitted through the Arkansas Department of Education's online portal. You'll need to upload proof of residency and your child's birth certificate. Applications are reviewed in three-week windows and can be submitted from March through January each year.

What is the award amount for Arkansas EFA recipients?

Most students will receive approximately $6,856 for the 2025-26 school year. This amount is distributed quarterly and may be adjusted if demand exceeds available state funding.

What can I spend Arkansas EFA funds on?

Approved expenses include private school tuition, homeschool curriculum and materials, tutoring, therapies, testing fees, and up to 25% of the funds for transportation or enrichment activities. All purchases must align with Arkansas Department of Education guidelines.

Is there a limit to how many students can receive EFA funds?

There is no cap on the number of participants. However, if eligible applicants exceed available funding, the award amount per student may be reduced.

Can I use Arkansas EFA funds and still send my child to public school?

No. Students cannot be enrolled full-time in a public school while receiving EFA funds.

Who qualifies for the PIAK Scholarship?

Students must live in Arkansas and have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. They must have attended public school in the prior year, unless entering kindergarten, having a qualifying disability, or recently moving into the state.

How much funding does the PIAK Scholarship provide?

Scholarships can cover up to 80% of the state's foundation funding for grades K-8 and up to 90% for high school students. For 2025-26, this is approximately $6,200 and $6,900, respectively.

Utilizing educational choices for a better fit

Arkansas families now have more control over how their children learn. The Education Freedom Account and PIAK Scholarship programs open doors to learning environments that better match a student's strengths and needs, backed by both public and private funding options.

If you're using an EFA to build a customized learning plan, Outschool's live classes, self-paced courses, and core subject support offer a flexible way to keep your child engaged and on track. For more on homeschooling in the state, see our guide to ESA back-to-school planning.